History - French Bulldog

French Bulldog Bogotá Colombia

The French Bulldog is a small Moloso Dam. The Molosos as such, and not only the prey, were spread across all continents. Borders are many but a few races. Almost all villages have sailed from one place to another and their ships were, among others, Molosos Dam. What happened when they came into port, is well known.
In England especially, the "British" and had huge dogs used in fighting against the invading enemy, the "britannicii pugnacious." The Romans were the first to prove the breed of these dogs.

If we jump in time, in the Middle Ages, following in England, the nobility hunted with Mastiff, also realized that the bull meat was more flavorful if it exercised the animals before slaughter. It was so with their big dogs harassed the bulls. However, it allowed the less noble to have large dogs, and imposed in 1272 what they called "laws of the forest." He severely punished those who were seen with large dogs. So the people picaresque originated a dog, as strong and combative than the Mastiff, but shorter legs. That is smaller. This was perhaps the first step towards the English Bulldog, an important link routed the French Bulldog.

The English Bulldog over the years become the emblem of the English dog. The word Bulldog appears for the first time written in 1632, in a letter to Mr. P. Eaton writes from San Sebastian, Spain, Wellingham, resident in London, which calls for "a good dog Mastire, a crate of liquor bottles, please get me two good bulldog."
The fights between bulls and dogs came to enjoy great popularity in both the high and in the Middle Ages. Queen Elizabeth herself was a fan of these fights. Although, I must say that, for other characters of the time, was a cruel and senseless event. Fortunately, they were banned in 1835.

What could be done now with a combative and powerful race and did not provide money to their owners? Once again imposed the reduction in size. Some breeders started selecting smaller specimens. This small Bulldogs did not have the sympathy of all the breeders of the time. Consider the amount of money circulating around the fighting of dogs, as even today, despite being expressly forbidden. The spectacular nature of these struggles is diminished with the Bulldogs was smaller, and not because of lack of courage. The truth is that in mid-nineteenth century the race was about to disappear. It was in Birmingham in 1860, when the first copies of which, more or less, now known as the English Bulldog.


Early nineteenth

At this point, we have a race you have to soften the character so you can spend, for example, as a companion dog? Why give notice? Maybe both. The Pug, as it is called in England at Carlino, seems to have had much to do, in giving the Bulldogs more diplomacy. The specimens were removed unwanted, but sold some at lower price? These, perhaps for the lower classes were neglected by national bulldog lovers. From here we already have two different racial lines: the English Bulldog and Bulldog Cavalier. This latter is derived the French Bulldog.


Industrial Revolution in England

Inexplicably, the Toy Bulldogs became very popular in the region of Nottingham. When the nineteenth-century economic crisis favored the migration of the textile group in France, most of the lace makers of Nottingham moved to Calais and took their little pets. They were distinguished by their shell-shaped ears. This little Bulldog crossed with the "terrier boule" (not be confused with the bull terrier), which were in the hands of butchers and cattle dealers from the slaughterhouse of La Villette in Paris, the French Bulldog shaped. A little later the drivers, cobblers, street vendors and even police officers were enthusiastic about the "little boule". He became the pet of Parisian artisans and humble people. His physique, small size, its peculiar physiognomy and character, absolutely charming, fans took over the flat-faced dogs. It was also the favorite of women in public houses, where the "girls of the Belle Epoque" kept, perhaps, as an eccentricity.


Late nineteenth century in France

It was then that the upper class, through the coachmen and bordellos, began to discover and fall in love with this little dog disturbing and compelling look. Immortalized by Toulouse-Lautrec in his painting "Le Marchand des Marrons" in 1897, the French Bulldog, strolling the boulevards. Mistinguett, Colette, Mac Orland, King Edward VII with his dog Peter in England, were some fans of the breed. Noteworthy is the dog of Princess Tatiana of Russia, Ortino, her skeleton was found next to his owner when he exhumed the remains a few years ago. In Austria, Germany and of course race in the United States took a leading role.
The French Bulldog career really began in 1880 at the founding of an association that weekly meetings about fifty Parisian fans and breeders.

In 1885 the first provisional register. The French Bulldog participated with that name for the first time in an exhibition in 1887. The following year the club's constitution drafted at the initiative of Marcel Roger, founding president and a great lover of the breed. However, we had to wait ten years for the Canine Society began the race really. This happened when the Central French Canine Society suggested that the group formed by Gordon Bennett, called the French Bulldog Lovers, and the bulldog Club of France (Roger and Marcel) joined. Both one and the other was admitted, and then came the French bulldog Club as we know it. The president was Menans Corre and Vice President Gordon Bennett.



England between 1900 and 1953 dawn

What happened in England in the meantime? When the French Bulldog appeared in England in 1898, caused a scandal in the British media. For example, one could read in the press that "the English have always had great affection for our national dog, we must reject that little indescribable monster have brought our country, but to be called bulldog French ". It's a little fuss incomprehensible, since, as we have seen dogs with these characteristics were not entirely unknown in these lands. And even more, in an illustration from 1849 showed a small bulldog named Frank Nottingahm owned by William Tupper, who already had characteristics of this breed. Differed only in the tail, which was long. This illustration was published in 1904 in Kennel News. In an exhibition organized by the Kennel Club in 1893, G. R. Krehl showed out of competition, their small bulldogs imported from France. The following year the Kennel Club scheduled a class apart for this class of dogs, called French Bulldog. The weight should not exceed 20 pounds, or about 10 kilos.

In 1915, some photos can be found by Colonel and Mrs. Rommilly Rommilly with some of its champions. While it is known that Mrs. Romilly Frenchy got his first in 1894. They were very close to the events of the French Bulldog Club of England. Its first president, Lady Lewis, she can be seen in a photo of the time with their dogs in the gardens of Harptones Court, in Herefordshire. But this, as its current president, Vivien Watkins, is part of the warp. The plot, as she calls it, began, after 1945, with the pioneers in the revival of the race, having spent most of paralyzed because of the war. The bridge between the warp and weft established him: Mrs. Helen Colman, Sugden and Mrs. Gladys Mrs.David Loseby. Their affixes (Nork, Silpho and Millhouse), gave a big push to Frenchie over imports of American dogs were Ch Hunk's Bequest, Berbay's Le Boy, Rodney Erie Perie, Rodney Bon Chance and Keysoe Ambassador. They all share a common ancestor.

The great American Ch Nellcote Gamin, which was, in fact, the father of Hunk. Along with Millhouse appeared on the scene in 1930, Gladys Anderson, with her affix The Moorings, she was able, despite the difficult years of war, to keep some dogs. A "Froggie" as he was affectionately known, it can be seen in a photo showing the Ch Bijou of Milmai, in exposing the Club in 1952. Later to become the president of the Club. They all had a great influence on the race and had great success as breeders. The Mark of Millhouse Ch had a legendary influence on race and Fifi Ch of The Moorings.



French Bulldog in France

Introduction
In the late nineteenth century paraded down the Champs Elysees, the days of good weather, a phaeton drawn by two chestnut horses driven by an equally elegant gentleman with top hat, black jacket and plaid pants.
The groom, in livery, leather pants and boots, was as bright as the varnish of the carriage.
Between these two characters, a small Bouledogue caille a brindle patch that covered part of one eye and an ear, either on his butt firmly established, presided over the promenade.
All the time cartoonists drawn to this legendary crew.

Origin of breed

A person chooses an animal that likes because any deviation of structure. Make greater efforts than usual to cross with another similar and thus obtain a product-oriented sense of what you want. These copies produced slowly disperse in the environment were they can call a different race? Who would remember these issues?
This applies to most of the races at the start. They seem uninteresting outside a small group of fans. This was the case of the French Bulldog. Thus it will be difficult to give an official date for their appearance. This dog is caused by the choice of examples of special features that were crossed with each other, by the selection of the specimens obtained and, again, to cross these selected subjects.

In principle one can admit that this breed came from crossing Terrier and English Bulldog. Not big, but the English Bulldog light of the years 1848, represented in some company recorded Terriers (¿intentionally?). However, our French Bulldog type with its own characteristics, bat ears among others, that distinguish it from all known races, and played a big role in his fate, was the result of a persistent and judicious work, undertaken with pleasure and zeal for the first breeders. They had perfect knowledge of the dog that he wanted to lead and had an ideal image.

The Americans were surprised that in a relatively new breed in a few years had gotten a good development, could not find an eyewitness authorized to provide evidence of what they knew:
"That proves, they said, that the origins of this race in France did not elicit any interest worthy of consideration and that the development of her baby was left to chance, indifference and even abandonment."
You could say that this "butcher's dog" as he called the French Canine Society at this time was, in fact, disdained the general public. The fashion were Poodles, the Havanese, the Toy Terriers, etc.. Parisians Fans companion dogs did not understand nor beauty, nor the charm of this little monster squat, haughty and stern air. Was tolerated, at best, in the stables behind the footsteps of their drivers, to catch rats. In fact, he did not exceed the bed of the horses waiting to be, twenty years later, "chouchou" the ladies.

The Americans, on the contrary, in love with this breed, they admitted it was wrong so underrated. They did not doubt that men 60 or 70, who lived in the suburbs of Paris, could provide the information sought in vain.

First French Bulldog breeders

These old breeders, fans, disdainful of advertising and external events, did not go far from home. Modest workers mostly made of French Bulldog breeding his favorite pastime, rest, their pride. They spared neither money nor effort in finding a dog that they felt the attraction. There is never enough repeat it was a small group of merchants and artisans modest that gave rise to the small French Bulldog: vintners, goatherds, butchers, cheese vendors, rag ... Almost penniless and with insufficient means, but always guided by its ideal, these true amateur race led to a degree of perfection that inspired the admiration of lovers of the breeds of dogs from around the world and became, over time , the fortunes of foreign breeders.

"This little dog, despite what has been said and written, coming from us, the French workers. Therefore it is we who have given rise to this race, to which all countries have had to go .
It is possible that this dog has left an English Terrier or an English Bulldog, or to be exact, an intersection of Terrier and Bulldog, which seems more probable, but the French Bulldog, as we have, with right ears and agile and cheerful demeanor, the result of a race well fixed, it is our work. "

Thus spoke M. Roger Charles, one of the most esteemed and old breeders, who knew the breed. He was a judge for several years in the dog show in the Tuileries, and had his first French Bulldog in 1870 at the age of 14 years.
Yet another theory was defended by the British and Americans. The idea was to M. Krehl, among others, which said that the French Bulldog Bulldog descended from Burgos through the Dogue de Bordeaux in a direct line. This view was shared by the French Canine Society and the English author JW Stubbs. Although the Dogue de Burgos, and, consequently, the Dogue de Bordeaux are the great ancestors of all of the time the Bulldogs, how old would have been necessary to reduce the size of the Dogue de Bordeaux to the size of a Bulldog French?

Paris suburbs

The origin of the French Bulldog may be easier than it seems.
Towards the end of 1800, a stroll through the suburbs of Paris with the butchers of la Villette especially the "Forts de la Halle," a type of small dog that had replaced the Doguín. A group of fans will take pleasure. It begins to make crosses and raised as an ideal model.

M. Roger Charles said that at this time these dogs did not have a defined type. They resembled Ratiers, the Terriers, the "little Bulldogs" ...
All things considered it was a mixture of each of these breeds and dogs descended from English.
At the same time there were in England a not insignificant number of "small bulldogs", result, they said themselves, the English Bulldog and cross Terrier Black and Tan (black and tan) from Manchester. Possibly these dogs, by 1848, had passed the Straits with Nottingham lace.

Exported from England to France in large numbers were crossed at random and without regard to its pedigree. This type of bulldog was more or less fixed, either in the head or body, picked up by the first breeders was improved and led to the pioneers of the present race.
The exodus of this "little bulldog" to France in 1865 was such that almost ceased to exist in England. In France things were different.

M. Charlton Jemmett Browne, English journalist dog (became very interested in the new race in 1908. His articles were published in both England and the USA, where he worked in the prestigious journal The French Bulldog, which only appeared for a year, 1913) said: "These dogs had no club to watch over them, or the pampering of high society, frequently crossed, no matter what, and not become popular until the cocottes go crazy for them and what put fashion "
This infatuation with "the cocotte" was confirmed by M. Charles Roger. He said that they were the fate of the French Bulldog. We met through his mistresses, who sometimes bred them and others know where to find them.
The "wealthy protector", brought the French Bulldog exposures or the home of a dog vendor where it was deposited. He bought and consequently the French Bulldog is to "King" next to his beautiful mistress, in his well-yoked car, as rich in its sumptuous hotel or apartment. Thus social took a big step.

Under the signature of P.B. in 1896 gives us a new witness to the exodus of the "little bulldog" France: "This type of dog was all the rage in Paris and the British dog vendors made their fortune with their trade. Fred M. Hinks said his father, owner of a dog named Nell, was charged in France continued to send all the "little bulldogs" I could find that weigh under 20 pounds.
Lady Kathleen Pilkington, one of the most renowned and knowledgeable of the most famous lovers of the time in Eastern Europe "Toy Bulldog" (small bulldog), which owes much to the French Bulldog in England, wrote in the "Tattler" on 18 July 1906 about the race:
"This is not only a rebirth of the race. The Toy Bulldogs have been known in England for 60 years between Nottingham lace. But taste declined, were exported, especially to France and almost disappeared from England. During his stay in France that you can not improve. They returned in 1893 with a perfect French accent and excellent manners, but also monstrous bat ears and a great need of prognathism "
The specimens, most of them were sold without pedigree. Yet they were called French Bulldog and when they were imported into England were called Toy Bulldogs. The presentations both copies of the right ear as the shell ears were enrolled in the same class.

While the Americans bought the French dogs with erect ears, the English were bought with shell ears.
The British despised race "dogs of chivalry" were called. However, the race was. No papers, no standard ... This brought the ignorance of their exact origins. On the other hand how could they devote time to these workers bureaucracy with no luck? Still had a small friendly club meetings and statutes. Those years were missing but the love of these modest French breeders for their dogs never ceased.
Extracted and adapted from "Le Bouledogue Francais." Waldner Comminges. 1933



French Bulldog in England

The history of B.F. England is the story of his club. It was founded in 1902 and the statutes, established in 1925, were the result of 23 years of aging.
During this time, the Club had 19 exhibitions not only important but did not cease to encourage breeding by establishing a large number of classes, prizes and special trophies.
By inviting the best French experts to give their opinion, breeders strengthened and affirmed the French type.
The French Bulldog Club of England was founded at a time in which the BF "As is" did not exist in the country. It is well known that the first "small Bulldog", which had already made its appearance in England in 1803, were ignored. Whereas, the French race, other than the "Miniature English bulldog," was even discussed in 1902 and the controversy around it greeted the founding of the new Club. All the powerful forces of the Bulldog Club and Bulldog Toy stood up against this little dog who dared to be French, and even more, to call themselves the holy sacred English name "Bulldog".

Once and for all showed that being called Bulldogs were too British to be French, but since they were French had no right to be called Bulldogs. It is alleged that they were few in number to be officially recognized, and they despise.

But even if your guy was French, at least had not become a threat to the English type. So, they could ignore? Cruel alternative.
The Club would have its first exhibition in April 1903, the Tattersall where a response was not replicated to all these controversies. Were invited to judge M. Menans run, well-known French authority and unquestioned. There were 70 entries and 51 specimens exposed. Of the latter the judges said that, at best, there were 10 regular, and you could qualify to the other as good and very good. Your kind showed the care and prudence with which he had made breeding. This exhibition made clear two things: the actual number of dogs and the definitive rate of BF in England.

There was a great improvement in 1905 and the B.F. I could not go unnoticed, the Kennel Club should recognize and admit the race. Not to invade the rights of the English Bulldog, given the small dog named "Bouledogue Français" (French spelling) instead of "French Bulldog", and were classified as a submanifold of the alien races. However, exposure of the Kennel Club in 1905 and were properly classified.
In 1912 the Kennel Club decided that the name of the breed known as Bouledogue Français officer took the name French Bulldog. Your weight should not exceed 24 pounds for males and 22 for females. Farming in England was supplied itself with little import.

In the list of registered dogs in the show from 1902 to 1910 was frequently found dog names French, American champions or their descendants.
In 1914, in Richmond (judge: Paul Méguin), there were 84 copies. It highlights the Ambroise and Ch Ch Lady Lolette.
During the war continued exposures harm than good, except in 1917 and 1918.

From 1920 to 1923 is also aware of the exploits of dog Enfant Lavish Mrs. Hubert Roberts, also from Tiger, son of Hunk's Bequest and Betty, owned by M. J. Q. Smith (Judge: Lady Kathleen Pilkington).
Hunk's Bequest, one of the big winners in America, came to England and did not know more than successes. He won all the championships where he was introduced. He was regarded as the best dog exported from America. It weighed 20 pounds. His appearance was very nice but had too many lips from the French point of view. Lips that were found in all their descendants. It also had an almost total absence of nose. He was short and compact. Born in 1910 and his father was the famous Nellcote Gamin, French dog taken to America by Mr. Goldenberg and considered a pillar of the American race. His mother's name was Felice.

Mrs. Roberts in Paris bought the dog Gavroche M. Bivo. After three months quarantine appeared in exhibitions and became champion in the first three. Barnum was the son of Mr. Albonis.
L'Entente M. Le Duc was also an outstanding dog.
All this happened between 1902 and 1925.
The exhibition of 1911 and Goldenberg Corre Menans were not always of the same opinion. Goldenberg was within the breed in England a certain lack of "Bullines" and headaches. The best head declared a copy of which runs to Menans did not like the groove on the skull, a safety feature of English blood descent.
These differences of opinion raised the burning question of the universal standard.
In 1932 the breeding took a great development and improve each year. Townsend Mrs. Green was president during those years and some famous breeders were: President, Mrs. Hubert Roberts, Mrs. Romilly and Mrs. Sugden.



First imports

French Bulldog breeding in the USA was based almost entirely to the dogs that were imported directly from France.
This race saw an unprecedented success in USA. The Americans discovered it in an era in which the French Bulldog was a stranger in his own country and in other countries almost completely ignored, lack of fans.
As it was not fashionable, this small French dog, had no commercial value. Without the enthusiasm of some foreigners, who bought them and were interested in them, their initial rate would have been quickly altered. However, although the Americans due to development and conservation of the race, were the French breeders who maintain their ideal on it and not giving in to outside influences, maintained the typical.
Georges Mr. Phelps was one of the first French Bulldog fans in America. In his first stay in France, 1886 to 1889, was impressed by the stories he heard about the breed. When he returned, in 1896, decided to take with him to America a certain number of dogs with which to breed.

Landing in England will find M. G. Krehl, cynologists and journalist (first editor of the "Dog World" in 1902 "The Illustrated Kennel News"), which became one of the first imports of French Bulldog to England in 1893 (came to exhibit at the Kennel Club Show the dogs called: St. Crispin, Lisette, Rayon d'Or, and Jean Riquelle the Folle. These were called by the English cynologists Farman ME "funny little creatures recently imported from France"). M. Krehl judged annually at Bulldog French in Paris and gave M. Phelps a letter of introduction to a French amateur who could help in the search for dogs of this breed: M. Boutroux, secretary of the Central Society for the Improvement of Dog Breeds of Dogs. Also, we headed Dtor. Newburg, English veterinarian of the Exhibition of Paris. With all this Mr. Phelps left England and went to France.

Fifteen years later published in "America Stockkeeper" the results of your search:

"M. Boutroux, questioned about the origin of the French Bulldog said, shrugging his shoulders, he could not get more serious information in the coal house and street sweepers, as the Parisian society was not interested in this race was only between the "villain" of the city. M. Boutroux change my mind after this time, as he is now (1910) secretary of the French Bulldog Club in France, where the Prince of Wagram is the honorary chairman and president James Gordon Bennett in office. "
It was then accompanied by the Manager of. Newburg, Mr. Phelps gives a raid on the outskirts of Paris and choose between the dogs you see, to Ninette and M. Rabot. They had the right ears were small, compact, brindle and perhaps less than 20 pounds.
Paying $ 50 a pair (ie 255 francs at the time).


War ears

"For the French fans, said Mr. Phelps, I learned that the dog was raised in the city for years but there was no effort of any organization to preserve and encourage this race except to regularize their young. There was no standard which could be judged. At the Paris Exposition, these dogs were judged by Mr. Krehl. For English ears "bat" (Chauve-souris) was an unforgivable flaw. Mr. Krehl established in the French breeders encourage, the right dog model was the one with the ears in a "shell" (coquille). And I always gave preference in the show. "

The French took the dogs with ears exhibitions shell but, in reality, his taste was for the dogs with erect ears.
Different opinions collected by the Americans on the origins of the race a lot and it dismayed them demonstrate, once again, this leaves the breeders home indifferent, and that no effort had tried to keep a reliable record of breeding of these dogs. Hence, many of them have questionable ancestry. How do intelligent breeders wanted to improve the breed. They took it from his hand, and following a systematic approach, the preserved and improved with such ardor and enthusiasm that soon the BF moved from its dark position to occupy an important place in the canine world. They had an advantage, and this was precisely that there was no war of attraction by race.
As in America chose the right ears, and, however, were opposed by the English and some French, the best dogs in right ears were for America. Make it clear that the suburbs were raised by dogs with ears like "bat". This occurred during the nineteenth century and the first 3 or 4 years of the century, right up to 1904.

"The work that should have taken France to a dog at this time was, arguably, produced by her, was guaranteed by the Americans. In 1925, America will have a record of beauty and the" know how "in the production of this race. In 20 years, breeders have produced copies of not only worthy of the best imported dogs but better than them. "


French Bulldog first appeared in American exposure

It was in 1896 in New York, the exhibition of Westminster, where he presented the first BF All had come from France and their names were: Bellechose, Bibelot, Milo, Bordeaux, Antonni, Margot and read II. It was the novelty of the exhibition and had many admirers.
After this first exhibition, the most significant import was made by Mr. Phelps of Boston. The two dogs had previously imported.

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